Fast Lane by Lizzie Hart Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

Brea’s on to me.
    “Gotta go. See you at eight!” I hang up without giving her a chance to ask me again. I know she’ll try to talk me out of it.
    Once I’m sure Coen is gone, I head over to Derek’s. This day has been a whirlwind of emotions and crazy coincidences, so I figure maybe Coen’s right. Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something. I must be absolutely insane to allow a man to get close to me so soon after breaking up with Patrick. But something about Coen just feels right.
    I’ve been into drag racing for as long as I can remember, but I haven’t been in years. I’ve been known to race show-offs at a stop light on occasion, though. My Shelby can definitely hold her own.
    I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and knock on Derek’s door. I must look like a mess after cleaning my car in this heat. I’m sure the heavy make-out session with Coen didn’t help, either. I hear him yelling from inside,
    “What did you forget assho—” He opens the door in a pair of shorts, still dripping wet from the shower. “Oh, hi Lexi. I thought you were Coen.”
    “It’s all good. I’m hoping I can cash in that favor you owe me. I was wondering if you have a contact for the organizer of the race tonight?” I ask, biting the inside of my cheek. Crap. I’m picking up Brea’s habit.
    “Uh, yeah, Lex. You’re lookin’ at him. Why do you ask? What can I help you with? Do you need directions?” Derek looks puzzled.
    “No, actually I was wondering if you could pair me against Coen.” I raise my eyebrows slowly and give him a nervous smile.
    Derek laughs. “Are you serious, Lexi? He’ll smoke your ass in the Hellcat.” He stops laughing when he realizes by the blank look on my face now that I’m dead serious.
    “I can give him a good run, Derek.”
    “Average buy in is $500, Lexi. Can you do that?” He looks doubtful.
    “How about $250? You know, since it’s my first race and all?” I ask.
    He lets out a deep breath. “Coen will be pissed, but I’ll let you run, Lexi. But only this one time, okay? You want to race after that, you’ll have to pay the regular buy in, just like everyone else. And don’t tell anyone I let it slide. It’ll be bad for my rep.” He gives me a “don’t let me regret this” look. “I saw the way he was looking at you earlier, Lex. That’s the only reason I’m letting this happen. Just don’t…” He stops talking. It’s like he isn’t sure if he should say was he was about to or not, but then he continues. I can see the worry in his face. “Just don’t break his heart, Lexi. He may look like a badass on the outside, but inside, he has his heart under lock and key. If he gives you that key, know that you have something rare.”
    Unsure of how to respond to that, I thank Derek and run back home to shower and get ready.
    I’m sitting in my car, parked behind one of the empty warehouses along the quarter mile. I’ve put almost my entire inheritance into buying this car and making sure it’s something my dad would have been proud of. Now I’m about to find out if all the hard work has paid off. If I can at least keep up with Coen’s Hellcat, I’ll be happy.
    Derek said he would send me a text once Coen is in position. I brace my hands on the steering wheel and push myself against the seat, taking in a deep breath. I relax my body. His car will most likely leave mine in the dust, but if I want to have any chance of not making myself look like a complete idiot, I need to stay relaxed and focused.
    I reach down and scroll through the songs on my iPod. There’s nothing quite like the perfect song to get your blood pumping. I stop scrolling when I get to “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters. I don’t know if it’s the lyrics or the wicked drum beats, but this song has always given me the feeling of wanting to put the pedal to the floor and not look back.
    As I sit here in my car, eyes closed, drumming the beat on my steering wheel and singing along, I start